FIFA open up tender for goal-line tech solutions
By Andrew Warshaw
February 20 – FIFA have confirmed once again that goal-line technology will be used at the 2014 World Cup, but which system will be employed in Brazil is now the main issue.
Kosovan fury at international exclusion
By Andrew Warshaw, Chief Correspondent
February 19 – Five years after celebrating their independence from Serbia, Kosovan football officials say they have been betrayed after being promised partial acceptance into the world game.
Nigerian league set for March kick off, with government support
February 19 – In the wake of Nigeria’s stunning success at the African Cup of Nations, the country’s top flight domestic league, the newly renamed the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), is to receive government help to sort out its financial difficulties and kick off next month.
Ukrainians are no-shows for meet on Russian merger, but confidence is high
By Mark Baber
February 19 – Club officials met yesterday to discuss a cross-border Russian-Ukrainian league. A meeting attended by 14 Russian clubs, but with only one club from the Ukraine turning up.
Chinese FA gets tough on match-fixing scandals
By Andrew Warshaw
February 19 – In a damaging blow to the image of football in China, which has been spending like crazy to acquire top players towards the end of their careers, Shanghai Shenhua have been stripped of their 2003 league title and fined £103,000 as part of on ongoing investigation into a match fixing scandal.
Platini calls for solidarity and Fair Play
By Andrew Warshaw
February 19 – UEFA president Michel Platini has used his organisation’s own publication, Uefa Direct, to appeal for the game to pull together to eliminate both cheating and off-the-field foul play.
Hammers kept waiting for green light on move to Olympic Stadium
February 19 – A further delay in a decision rubber-stamping West Ham’s move to the Olympic stadium used for London 2012 looks set to frustrate the club and its supporters.
Europa Cup final corporate tickets still available
February 19 – Corporate hospitality packages for the UEFA Europa League final at the Amsterdam ArenA on May 15 are still available, 2 months after the sales programme was launched.
Harris sweetens his bid by opening to Pompey fans trust
By Andrew Warshaw
February 18 – A consortium led by Keith Harris, former chairman of the Football League but in recent years a leading football financier acting for a number of high-profile clients, has not given up taking over Portsmouth in yet another new twist to the biggest soap opera in English football ownership.
UEFA issues tender for big event ticketing
February 18 – UEFA has issued another tender for suppliers, this time a request for IT proposals for ticketing and hospitality solutions for its major events.
FIFA debate harder line on racism ahead of Congress
February 18 – Fresh moves to combat the worrying resurgence of racism in football are being discussed by FIFA with a view to firm proposals for tougher sanctions being added to the agenda at May’s increasingly significant annual congress in Mauritius.
Serbian U21 penalties increased, slightly, after UEFA appeals racism ruling
February 18 – UEFA have increased the penalty on Serbia following the explosive Euro 2013 under-21 play-off match against England in October.
Blazer is latest Exco member to call it a day, after 16 years
By Andrew Warshaw, Chief Correspondent
February 18 – Chuck Blazer, the larger-than-life whistleblower who sparked the infamous cash-for-votes scandal that led to a spate of resignations and suspensions among senior figures at FIFA, is stepping down from the world governing body’s executive committee after 16 years.
DR Congo hope to make it third time lucky with 2019 AFCON bid
18 February – The Democratic Republic of Congo is the latest African nation to announce their candidacy for hosting the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Reds prove devilishly hard to beat on and off the pitch
By Paul Nicholson
February 15 – Manchester United’s corporate investors are having as happy a time off the pitch as the team is currently having on it. The two are linked.